Wise management of the nation’s natural and recreational resources provides significant ecological, economic, and cultural benefits to the American citizenry. Use of these spaces for outdoor recreation can results in life enriching experiences for individuals and communities alike. Balancing use and protection of these valuable resources is challenging and requires the best efforts of dedicated professionals. The Outdoor Recreation and Park Management (ORPM) concentration will provide the highest level of professional training for students seeking employment in the park management field and those interested in tapping into the growing outdoor recreation economy.
The ORPM curriculum prepares students for careers as professionals in a variety of natural resource management agencies, non-profits, and small business operations. Many employment opportunities are in the public sector, including such agencies as the National Park Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the USDA Forest Service, state park departments, and city and county park and recreation departments. Students may also seek employment with non-profits such as the Nature Conservancy, Wilderness Society, and the Sierra Club. Additionally, the ORPM major will provide student will the necessary skills to be a part of the outdoor recreation economy through entrepreneurial training.
Graduates are employed as park managers, rangers, conservation officers, planners, naturalists, agency and unit directors, program specialists, outfitter owners/managers, small business owners and in other areas of outdoor recreation.
The university has over 21,000 acres of forest land available for teaching, research, and demonstration for ORPM majors. The Tennessee Valley Authority, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Tennessee State Parks, Cherokee National Forest, and several areas within Knoxville (e.g. Ijams, Urban Wilderness, Tennessee Riverline) provide additional land, water and facilities available to the teaching program.
To remain in the ORPM concentration, students must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA and earn no less than a C grade in FORS 321. If a student does not meet the criteria, the student will be removed from the ORPM concentration, and the student must meet with their advisor to identify an alternative major.
